Curious Folks Ask 1 & 2 (Bundle)

7. The heavens

Here comes the sun

How is the time of sunrise predicted? It does not usually occur at the time listed.

The time of sunrise is calculated for a specific latitude and longitude from the speed of Earth’s rotation and revolution around the sun. You can use a computer program that does the sunrise calculations, the moon rise and set times, and a number of other astronomical applications at the U.S. Naval Oceanography Portal’s Web site (www.usno.navy.mil/astronomy).

The calculations assume that your eye is on the surface of Earth, at sea level, with no landscape features obstructing your view of the horizon. The calculations also assume average atmospheric conditions when taking into account that Earth’s atmosphere bends the light ...